Data communication method and system, data sending/receiving apparatus

ABSTRACT

A data communication method includes: a Radio Network Controller (RNC) sends a notification message to a Node B to instruct the Node B to perform proper operations after a specific event occurs on the User Equipment (UE). A data communication system, a data sending apparatus and a data receiving apparatus are also provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Through the technical solution under the present disclosure, when specific events such as cell handover, disconnection and state transition occur on the UE, the RNC that obtains the event information may send a notification message to Node B to instruct the Node B to perform proper operations. Therefore, the Node B is prevented from continuing to send the buffered UE data from the source cell; and in the Cell_FACH state, the present disclosure saves the radio channel resources, shortens the transmission delay, and reduces the transmission packet loss ratio.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2007/071341, filed on Dec. 27, 2007, which claims the benefit of priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 200710004556.8, filed on Jan. 10, 2007, titled “DATA COMMUNICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM, DATA SENDING/RECEIVING APPARATUS”, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to the communication field, and in particular, to a data communication method and system, and a data sending apparatus and a data receiving apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Starting from Release 5 (R5), the 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) provides a High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) mechanism to enable high-speed transmission of downlink packets in the air interface. This mechanism adds processing of a MAC-hs layer in addition to the Media Access Control (MAC) layer and the physical layer. The MAC-hs layer comes out of a base station, Node B, and is implemented through interaction between the High Speed Downlink Shared CHannel (HS-DSCH), High Speed Physical Downlink Shared CHannel (HS-PDSCH), High Speed downlink Shared Control CHannel (HS-SCCH), and HS-DSCH Dedicated uplink Physical Control CHannel (HS-DPCCH). The channel features of HS-SCCH, HS-DPCCH and HS-DSCH are configured by the Radio Network Controller (RNC) for a User Equipment (UE) at the time of setting up a radio bearer.

The current protocol stipulates that only the UE in the Cell_Dedicated CHannel (Cell_DCH) state can receive data on the HSDPA related channels. The UE in the Cell_Forward Access Channel (Cell_FACH) state lacks the dedicated control channel and the uplink auxiliary control channel applicable to the HSDPA, and therefore, cannot receive data on the HSDPA related channels. Moreover, the information on the UE in the Cell_FACH state is stored only on the RNC, and the Node B stores no UE information.

In the conventional art, the data communication process of the UE in the Cell_FACH state comes in two modes:

The RNC schedules a resource for the UE, sends the data directed to the UE to the Node B, and specifies the time of sending the data to each UE. The Node B does not schedule the resource, but sends the data to the corresponding UE directly at the time specified by the RNC.

The RNC sends the data directed to the UE to the Node B first. After receiving the data directed to the UE, the Node B schedules the resource and selects a proper time for sending the data to the corresponding UE according to the resource utilization state.

However, in the conventional art, when the UE undergoes certain events, such as cell handover, disconnection, and state transition, the UE notifies the event information to the RNC. However, the Node B is not aware of it and continues to send the buffered UE data from the source cell, which leads to waste of radio channel resources.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a data communication method and system, a data sending apparatus, and a data receiving apparatus, so as to overcome waste of radio channel resources of the UE in the Cell_FACH state.

A data communication method includes: sending, by an RNC, a notification message to a Node B to instruct the Node B to perform proper operations after a specific event occurs on a UE.

A data communication system includes: an RNC, adapted to send a notification message to a Node B after a specific event occurs on a UE; and a Node B, adapted to receive the notification message and perform proper operations according to the notification message.

A data sending apparatus includes: a data sending module, adapted to send data of a UE to a Node B; and a notification message sending module, adapted to send a notification message to the Node B after a specific event occurs on the UE.

A data receiving apparatus includes: a data obtaining module, adapted to receive data of a UE and a notification message from an RNC; and a data processing module, adapted to perform proper operations according to the notification message received by the data obtaining module.

The foregoing technical solution discloses that in method, system and apparatus provided in embodiments of the present disclosure, the RNC sends a notification message to Node B to instruct the Node B to perform proper operations after a specific event occurs on the UE. In this way, when specific events such as cell handover, disconnection and state transition occur on the UE, the RNC that obtains the event information may send a notification message to the Node B to instruct the Node B to perform proper operations. Therefore, the Node B is prevented from continuing to send the buffered data of the UE from the source cell, thus saving the radio channel resources, shortening the transmission delay, and reducing the transmission packet loss ratio.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a data communication method of an UE in the Cell_FACH state in the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a signaling flowchart of a data communication method of an UE in the Cell_FACH state in the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method provided in the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method provided in the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method provided in the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a data communication system of an UE in the Cell_FACH state in the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a data sending apparatus of an UE in the Cell_FACH state in the third embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a data receiving apparatus of an UE in the Cell_FACH state in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In order to make the technical solution, objectives and merits of the present disclosure clearer, a detailed description of the present disclosure is hereinafter given by reference to accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments.

Embodiment 1

A data communication method applicable to the UE in the Cell_FACH state is provided in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the method includes the following steps:

Step S102: The RNC sends data of the UE, a UE ID (which indicates the UE corresponding to the data) and/or a data number to the Node B (preferably, through a Framing Protocol (FP)), or the RNC sends only the data without carrying the UE ID or data number.

Step S104: The RNC preferably sends a notification message (in this embodiment, a Cell_FACH UE message) to Node B through an NBAP protocol after a specific event occurs on the UE.

Step S106: The Node B performs proper operations in response to the notification message.

The foregoing process can be understood by reference to FIG. 2.

For example, if an FP protocol frame carries data of multiple UEs, multiple UE IDs are required to correspond to the data. A UE ID may be a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI), which is abbreviated as U-RNTI, Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI), or another identifier.

The specific events include but are not limited to: cell reselection, state transition, and release of radio resource control connection.

The foregoing notification message may be a data conversion cell message, UE cell reselection message, data release command message, or another newly defined message.

Besides, the foregoing notification message carries: UE ID information, target cell information, or data number information, or any combination thereof. When a UE performs cell reselection in the Node B, the RNC carries the target cell information, or the RNC carries the target cell information directly without considering whether the UE performs cell reselection within the Node B.

Besides, the foregoing notification message may further carry action indication information. The action indication information instructs the Node B to: release the UE context, release data, transfer data to the target cell for sending, suspend sending, or resume sending, or any combination thereof.

S106 is detailed below, where the Node B may adopt multiple processing modes, depending on the information carried in the notification message.

Instance 1

As shown in FIG. 3, the Node B in this embodiment performs the following steps:

Step S302: The Node B searches for the buffered data of the corresponding UE by matching the received UE ID with the UE ID information carried in the notification message.

Step S304: The Node B releases the data found in step S302 if the notification message carries no target cell ID.

Step S306: If the notification message carries a target cell ID, the Node B transfers the data found in step S302 to the buffer of the target cell, and schedules the data for sending in the target cell.

In step S306, if the target cell is covered by this Node B, the Node B transfers the data to the target cell for processing (S306-2); if the target cell is not covered by this Node B, the data is deleted or transferred to the other Node B (step S306-4).

Besides, if the RNC in step S102 sends no UE ID, Node B decodes the header of the data sent by the RNC first in step S302, and obtains the UE ID in the header.

In this embodiment, Node B searches for data through the UE ID. In practice, the present disclosure is not limited to that. In the second instance described below, Node B searches for data through a data number.

Instance 2

As shown in FIG. 4, the Node B in this embodiment performs the following steps:

Step S402: The Node B searches for the buffered data of the corresponding UE by matching the received data number with the data number information carried in the notification message.

Step S404: If the notification message carries a target cell ID, the Node B transfers the data found in step S402 to the buffer of the target cell, and schedules the data for sending in the target cell.

Step S406: The Node B releases the data found in step S402 if the notification message carries no target cell ID.

In step S406, if the target cell is covered by this Node B, the Node B transfers the data to the target cell for processing (S406-2); if the target cell is not covered by this Node B, the data is deleted or transferred to the other Node B (step S406-4).

It is worthy of attention that the Node B described in the foregoing instance performs operations according to the target cell ID, which is for the exemplary purpose only. The example is intended for better understanding rather than limitation of the present disclosure.

Instance 3

As shown in FIG. 5, the Node B in this embodiment performs the following steps:

Step S502: The Node B searches for the buffered data of the corresponding UE by matching the received UE ID with the UE ID information carried in the notification message.

Step S504: The Node B performs the relevant operations according to the action indication information carried in the notification message.

Specifically, step S504 further includes:

If the action indication information carried in the notification message instructs the Node B to transfer the data to the target cell for sending, the Node B transfers the data found in step S502 to the buffer of the target cell, and schedules the data for sending in the target cell (step S504-2).

If the action indication information instructs the Node B to release the data or release the UE context, the Node B releases the data found in step S502 (step S504-4).

If the action indication information does not indicate transferring of the data to the target cell, releasing of the UE context, or releasing of the data, but indicates suspension of sending, the Node B suspends scheduling of sending the data found in step S502 (step S504-6).

Besides, if no suspension of scheduling is indicated, the Node B begins to schedule sending of the data of the UE (step S504-8).

The process in this instance is for exemplary purpose only. In practice, the notification message may carry no action indication of suspending the sending process or resuming the sending process; and accordingly, the operations of Node B vary with the action indication.

The foregoing process reveals that:

When the RNC detects cell reselection, state transition or RRC connection release on the UE, the RNC notifies the Node B if no further data needs to be sent from the source cell, and the Node B may stop sending data to the UE or transfer the data to the target cell for sending. This saves the radio channel resources of the source cell. Moreover, the data may be transferred to the target cell for sending, thus avoiding data loss and preventing increase of data transmission delay caused by retransmission of the RLC.

Embodiment 2

A data communication system applicable to the UE in the Cell_FACH state is provided in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the data communication system 600 includes: a data sending module 602, located at the RNC side and adapted to send one or more of these items to a Node B: data of the UE, UE ID, and data number; a notification message sending module 604, located at the RNC side and adapted to send a notification message to the Node B after the RNC determines that a specific event occurs on the UE; a data obtaining module 606, located at the Node B side and adapted to: receive the information from the data sending module 602, respond to the notification message, and obtain the buffer data of the UE; and a data processing module 608, located at the Node B side and adapted to process the data obtained by the data obtaining module 606

The notification message sent by the notification message sending module 604 carries: UE ID information, target cell information, or data number information, or any combination thereof. Moreover, the notification message carries action indication information. The action indication information instructs the Node B to: release the UE context, release data, transfer data to the target cell for sending, suspend sending, or resume sending, or any combination thereof.

The data obtaining module 606 searches for the buffered data of the corresponding UE by matching the UE ID/data number sent by the data sending module 602 with the UE ID information/data number information carried in the notification message.

The data processing module 608 performs the following operations according to the action indication information carried in the notification message:

If the action indication information carried in the notification message indicates transferring of the data to the target cell for sending, the data processing module 608 transfers the data obtained by the data obtaining module 606 to the buffer of the target cell, and schedules the data for sending in the target cell.

If the action indication information indicates releasing of the data or releasing of the UE context, the data processing module 608 releases the data obtained by the data obtaining module 606.

If the action indication information does not indicate transferring of data to the target cell, releasing of the UE context, or releasing of the data, but indicates suspension of sending, the data processing module 608 suspends scheduling of sending the data obtained by the data obtaining module 606.

If the action indication information does not indicate UE context, transferring of data to the target cell, releasing of the data, or suspension of sending, the data processing module 608 begins to schedule sending of the data obtained by the data obtaining module 606.

Embodiment 3

A data sending apparatus applicable to the UE in the Cell_FACH state is provided in this embodiment. The apparatus is located at the RNC side.

As shown in FIG. 7, the data sending apparatus 700 includes: a data sending module 702, adapted to send one or more of these items to a Node B: data of the UE, UE ID, and data number; and a notification message sending module 704, adapted to send a notification message to the Node B when a specific event occurs on the UE.

A specific event may be: cell reselection, state transition, or release of the radio resource control connection. The notification message sending module 704 may attach one or more of these items into the notification message: UE ID information, target cell information, and data number information. The notification message sending module 704 may further attach action indication information into the notification message to instruct Node B to: release the UE context, release the data, transfer the data to the target cell for sending, suspend sending, or resume sending, or any combination thereof.

Embodiment 4

A data receiving apparatus applicable to the UE in the Cell_FACH state is provided in this embodiment. The apparatus is located at the Node B side.

As shown in FIG. 8, the data receiving apparatus 800 includes: a data obtaining module 802, adapted to receive one or more of these items from the RNC: data of the UE, UE ID, and data number, respond to the notification message sent by the RNC when a specific event occurs on the UE, and obtain the buffered data of the corresponding UE; and a data processing module 804, adapted to process the data obtained by the data obtaining module 802.

The notification message sent by the RNC carries: UE ID information, target cell information, data number information, or any combination thereof. In this way, the data obtaining module 802 searches for the buffered data of the corresponding UE by matching the UE ID/data number previously received from the RNC with the UE ID information/data number information carried in the notification message. Afterwards, the data processing module 804 may release the data found by the data obtaining module 802; and transfer the found data to the buffer of the target cell, and schedule sending of the data in the target cell, if the notification message carries target cell information.

Besides, if the notification message carries action indication information, the data processing module 804 may perform the following preset operations according to the action indication information:

(1) Transferring the data found by the data obtaining module 802 to the buffer of the target cell and scheduling the data for sending in the target cell, if the action indication information carried in the notification message indicates transferring of data to the target cell for sending.

(2) Releasing the data found by the data obtaining module 802, if the action indication information indicates releasing of the data or releasing of the UE context.

(3) Suspending scheduling of sending the data found by the data obtaining module 802, if the action indication information does not indicate transferring of data to the target cell, releasing of the UE context, or releasing of the data, but indicates suspension of sending.

(4) Beginning to schedule sending of the data found by the data obtaining module 802, if the action indication information does not indicate releasing of the UE context, transferring of data to the target cell, releasing of the data, or suspension of sending.

When a UE in the Cell_FACH state undergoes an event such as cell reselection, state transition, or release of the RRC connection, the technical solution under the present disclosure can reduce or try to avoid waste of radio channel resources, shorten the transmission delay and reduce the transmission packet loss ratio.

Although the disclosure has been described through some exemplary embodiments, the disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. It is apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure is intended to cover the modifications and variations provided that they fall in the scope of protection defined by the following claims or their equivalents. 

1. A data communication method applicable to a User Equipment (UE) in a Cell_Forward Access Channel (Cell_FACH) state, comprising: sending, by a Radio Network Controller (RNC), a notification message to a Node B to instruct the Node B to perform proper operations after a specific event occurs on the UE.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific event comprises at least one of: cell reselection, state transition, and release of a radio resource control connection.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message carries at least one of UE Identification (ID) information, target cell information, and data number information.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the proper operations comprise: searching, by the Node B, for buffered data of the corresponding UE according to at least one of the UE ID information and the data number information carried in the notification message; or decoding, by the Node B, a header of data sent by the RNC, obtaining a UE ID, and searching for the buffered data of the corresponding UE by matching the obtained UE ID with the UE ID information carried in the notification message.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the proper operations further comprise: releasing found data; or transferring the found data to a buffer of a target cell, and scheduling the found data for sending in the target cell.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein before the found data is transferred to the buffer of the target cell, the method further comprises: judging whether the target cell is covered by the Node B; continuing, if the target cell is covered by the Node B, to transfer the found data to the buffer of the target cell; and deleting, if the target cell is not covered by the Node B, the found data or transferring the found data to another Node B.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the notification message further carries action indication information, and the proper operations further comprise: performing, by the Node B, preset operations according to the action indication information.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the preset operations comprise: transferring the found data to the buffer of the target cell; and scheduling the found data for sending in the target cell.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the preset operations comprise: releasing the found data.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the preset operations comprise: suspending scheduling of sending the found data.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the preset operations comprise: beginning to schedule sending of the found data.
 12. A data sending apparatus applicable to a User Equipment (UE) in a Cell_Forward Access Channel (Cell_FACH) state, comprising: a data sending module adapted to send data of the UE to a Node B; and a notification message sending module adapted to send a notification message to the Node B after a specific event occurs on the UE.
 13. A data receiving apparatus applicable to a User Equipment (UE) in a Cell_Forward Access Channel (Cell_FACH) state, comprising: a data obtaining module adapted to receive data of the UE and a notification message from a Radio Network Controller (RNC); and a data processing module adapted to perform proper operations according to the notification message received by the data obtaining module.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the data obtaining module is further adapted to: search for buffered data of the corresponding UE according to at least one of UE Identification (ID) information and data number information carried in the notification message; or decode a header of the received data of the UE, obtain a UE ID, and search for the buffered data of the corresponding UE by matching the obtained UE ID with the UE ID information carried in the notification message.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the data processing module comprises: a module adapted to transfer the data found by the data obtaining module to a buffer of a target cell and schedule the data for sending in the target cell.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the data processing module comprises: a module adapted to release the data found by the data obtaining module.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the data processing module comprises: a module adapted to suspend scheduling of sending the data found by the data obtaining module.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the data processing module comprises: a module adapted to begin to schedule sending of the data found by the data obtaining module. 